Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Boston Officials Opine on Wynn Boston Harbor Casino Resort Future

The last days of January saw a rapid turn of events for one of the most renowned people in the international gambling industry and this was Steve Wynn, who is the former Chief Executive Officer of Wynn Resorts. This shook the industry and now it has the potential to affect the future projects of the company, among which the new $2.4-billion resort casino under construction in Everett, Massachusetts.

Concerned members of the community expressed their position that the project should not continue its development, while officials expressed their position regarding the future job opportunities for the region.

Wynn Boston Harbor is the name of the new gambling resort which has taken over the banks of the Mystic River and turned the formerly occupied by a chemical plant location into a suitable for tourists’ entertainment site. Following the sexual misconduct allegations which emerged with the help of Macau’s gambling regulator, Mr. Wynn opted for filing his resignation from the company’s leading position. However, in the official statement of the company, it was stated that Wynn Resorts is planning to focus on the development of its operations in Las Vegas and Macau, as well as the future one situated in Everett.

The feelings might not be mutual, however, as the voters in the community remain undecided regarding the future of the casino facility. As many as 20 percent of the people who have cast their votes say that they want the project to be permanently stopped, as the region does not need another gaming venue. Another 23 percent of the people who participated in the voting opted for casting their vote on continuing the project under an entirely new management. Something which most of them agree on is that the location should operate under a new name as well, as to avoid associating with its owner whatsoever.

Evaluation of the Future Integrated Resort Project

Shortly after the information was made public, Congressman Michael Capuano claimed that the job positions which the new location is expected to guarantee are what is important in the moment and most beneficial for the community in general. The construction work of Wynn Boston Harbor was projected to give work to up to 4,000 people in its building phase, as well as provide an additional 4,000 jobs for permanent workers.

According to Mr. Capuano, putting an end to the whole development will have a negative impact on the area. In the meantime, Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley stated that gaming might not be the most positive economic development strategy, taking into consideration the problem gambling factor of the industry and how it could affect the region, but there is also the other side of the story. People who rely on this job opportunity should not be negatively affected by the alleged actions of the former CEO of the casino operator.

Whether the location remains a casino resort or ends up becoming a larger commercial building, all workers should be able to be confident in their concrete staff positions. She also supports the idea of changing the name of the location.